From the potpourri of the various counter-cultural/human potential movements of the latter half of the 20th century, certain character-figures remain exemplary, offering timeless fields of study to which we can return again and again, in different ways each time. Alan Watts is one such individual, whose thought, co-emergent with its own unique times, continues to challenge, inspire, and entertain.    

The Jazz Philanthropists Union presents… The Bernal Jazz Quintet Michael Gold, sax Derek James, trombone Jim Zimmerman, vibes Larry Epstein, bass Curt Moore, drums

Poets Judith Ayn Bernhard and Byron Spooner, read, followed by an open mic. Judith Ayn Bernhard is a former Berlitz School of Languages instructor and translator. She is a founding member of The Marin Poetry Center and a current member of the Revolutionary Poets Brigade. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, Byron Spooner, where she teaches writing and occasionally gives public readings of her work. Her latest book, Prisoners of Culture, was published by in 2014 by CC Marimbo. “Judy Bernhard is a voice packed with both insight and irony in the face of social and political injustice, and a deeply compassionate humor that belongs with the people of the world suffering under its current reign of corporate fascism.” –Jack Hirschman, from his introduction to Prisoners of Culture. Byron Spooner is the Literary Director of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, where he and his team…

Marlina Teich, guitar and vocals Madaline Duran, tenor sax Richard Saunders, bass John Fisher, drums No cover charge; donations requested – that’s how we pay the musicians! Originally from New York City via birthplace, Bayonne, New Jersey, Marlina plays solo, duo and combo, with her regular quartet consisting of Marlina on guitar, Richard Saunders on bass, John Fisher on drums, and either a horn or piano — in this case, with her long-time associate, the wonderful tenor sax player Madaline Duran. Marlina has performed and/or recorded with countless great musicians including Jules Broussard, Danny Armstrong, Mel Martin, Richie Cole, Junius Simmons, Jeff Chambers, Eddie Marshall, Donald “Duck” Bailey, Si Perkoff, Eddie Henderson, Ylonda Nichols, Juanita Ellington, and Dave Black, drummer for Duke Ellington.  She has also taught jazz ensembles and jazz and blues guitar at San Quentin Prison, and of course teaches privately and in group settings. Possessing a California…

  Fog combines the talents of four internationally lauded musicians: three — multi-reed player Matt Renzi, guitarist Brad Buethe and bassist Peter Barshay — resident in San Francisco, and one — drummer/percussionist Brian Melvin — who has for some years resided in Estonia.      Over the course of his career, Brian has played and recorded with many of the world’s leading musicians. Not limited by styles, he’s worked with Joe Henderson, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Bobo Stenson, Toots Thielemans, Richard Bona, Bob Weir, Greg Allman and many more.      One of Brian’s formative associations was with the Hall of Fame bassist Jaco Pastorius. They were good friends and made five historic recordings together, including “Standards Zone” (Global Pacific Records), which was the No. 1 jazz album for 15 weeks. A more recent project, Beatlejazz, has seen all four of its cd releases reach…

Scott Foster, guitar Richard Hall, piano Mike Bordelon, bass Dan Foltz, drums Scott reunites with some old friends to play two sets of jazz, drawing a lot on what he and Richard did together on gigs and in the recording studio in the ’90s.  About this combination, Scott muses, “fun quartet!” You can always count on big fun when Scott takes the stage at Bird & Beckett. He does just that every third Friday of the month in our long-running “jazz in the bookshop” series. 15 years and counting, come October! The City’s longest running neighborhood weekly jazz party, we’re certain!  

A good starting point for thinking about Joel is to consider his time in the apartment of Baroness Nica, taking lessons in a sort of way from Thelonious Monk, as Monk waited out his final years, laying in bed, not venturing out. When  Joel played well enough, or better, the door to the room where Monk laid would open. Other times, it would remain closed, and Joel knew his playing wasn’t interesting the buddha that was Monk. We’ll be very interested to hear what Joel has to play on August 17th. The proprietor himself, though, will just have to hear about it from you, and hear it from the recordings. He’ll be in the Bronx feeding Joel’s cats when not in Manhattan soaking up what the musicians there have to say.

Pianist Grant Levin needs no introduction to Bird & Beckett audiences. We currently have the pleasure of presenting Grant in duo, trio and quartet settings every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month through the end of 2017! Michael Marcus (born in San Francisco in 1952) is New York-based, and has previously played at Bird & Beckett to great effect. He is an American jazz clarinetist/multi-woodwind player as well as a composer and arranger. He also plays A clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, Tarogato, as well as tenor, baritone, bass, C melody, straight alto (Stritch) and Saxello saxophones. Since releasing his debut recording as a leader, Under the Wire for Enja Records in 1991, he has appeared on more than 35 records. His first professional gigs were with Albert King and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Marcus has recorded and toured with the Saxemble (Frank Lowe and James Carter) and with the…

Keith Saunders, piano Robert Overbury, bass Tony Johnson, drums No cover charge; donations requested

Patrick Wolff, tenor sax Jay Sanders, trumpet Keith Saunders, piano Eric Markowitz, bass Evan Hughes, drums

Born in the swing revival of the 90’s, Jellyroll’s sound is at once assured and fine-tuned with freshly conceived arrangements steeped in the traditional form. Musicianship as precise as a well-made martini; only the finest ingredients in perfect measure. The band covers jazz, swing and blues of the 30s, 40s and 50s, drawing on the songbooks of Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Big Mama Thornton and other jump-blues greats. If that’s not enough to rattle your bones by, Jellyroll offers up their own brand of high-energy originals that have filled dance floors and captivated audiences up and down the west coast in jazz and blues festivals, countless nightclubs, a regular spot at the famous Derby in Los Angeles and a stint at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece. Belinda Blair, vocals Bob Brumbeloe, guitar Simon Planting, bass Steve Dekrone, drums P.s., it’s BYOB at Bird & Beckett. God helps the child that’s got her own!